This How-To Geek School class is intended for people who want to learn more about security when using Windows operating systems. You will learn many principles that will help you have a more secure computing experience and will get the chance to use all the important security tools and features that are bundled with Windows. Obviously, we will share everything you need to know about using them effectively.

This How-To Geek School class is intended for people who want to learn more about security when using Windows operating systems. You will learn many principles that will help you have a more secure computing experience and will get the chance to use all the important security tools and features that are bundled with Windows. Obviously, we will share everything you need to know about using them effectively.

In this second lesson in our How-To Geek School about securing the Windows devices in your network, we will talk about User Account Control (UAC). Users encounter this feature each time they need to install desktop applications in Windows, when some applications need administrator permissions in order to work and when they have to change different system settings and files.

If you have your computer connected to a network, or directly to your Internet connection, then having a firewall is an absolute necessity. In this lesson we will discuss the Windows Firewall – one of the best security features available in Windows!

In this lesson we will talk about the “SmartScreen Filter” – yet another Windows security feature that has a slightly different name depending on the application and the operating system you are using. But that’s why we are here to clarify everything, so don’t worry, you will soon understand what’s up with this feature.

In this lesson we will talk about another lesser-known security tool in Windows – the “Action Center.” This tool that has an impact on both how secure your system is and how well it is running from a maintenance perspective. The Action Center first made its appearance all the way back in Windows XP as the “Windows Security Center” and was such through Vista until being renamed in Windows 7.

Another important step in securing any computer or device is setting up automated updates. Your device’s security relies on your operating system, apps, plug-ins, and programs always being up to date. For example, using outdated Internet browsers and plug-ins like Adobe Flash, Java, or Silverlight represents a big security problem. There are many websites on the Internet that exploit security bugs in your browser or the plug-ins you have installed.

While Microsoft tries to do a good job at providing a secure computing experience, there will always be other companies that provide better security products than those found in Windows. This is especially true when you consider Windows Defender (Microsoft Security Essentials) and its effectiveness in blocking all kinds of malware.

We have arrived at the final lesson in this How-To Geek School series. We have covered all the security tools that are built into Windows, and now we would like to some general tips that will improve the security of your computing experience.

Lowell HeddingsLowell is the founder and CEO of How-To Geek. He’s been running the show since creating the site back in 2006. Over the last decade, Lowell has personally written more than 1000 articles which have been viewed by over 250 million people. Read Full Bio »